I am really a bit of a beginner, but am starting with more serious photography, and I think I'm making the right decision with buying a Rebel 2000 (what do you think?). And although it stretches my budget as far as it goes, I think I'm going to get a Canon 28-105 USM lens with it, as it obviously has a brilliant reputation. Can someone tell me if this is a good match (?), that is, if it would be better to get a different lens with the Rebel 2k? Would it be better for me to get the 28-80 that comes with it (that one is non-USM, isn't it?) and buy a tripod and/or speedlite instead of a more expensive lens? Actually, I think I should get the 28-105, I think it's range suits me well, and buy the other accessories later if I feel like I need them, which I think I will... Please give me some advice, or at least a few comments..? BTW, which speedlite should I buy, in case I do? Where is it best to buy a camera online (price...). What about B&H? I live in Iceland, is there any difference between the EOS 300 and the EOS Rebel 2000? If I find the aperture of the 28-105 limiting, what can you tell me about Canon 50mm primes?

-- Andri Slafsson (hildir@islandia.is), February 02, 2000

Answers

The 28-105 USM would be a great lens for your Rebel 2000 (Which is the same thing as the EOS 300). The 28-80 can come with USM but still wont offer FTM (Full Time Manual focus) and is not as sharp as the 28-105. I'd get the better lens and save up for the accessories later.

Both the 50 f:1.8 and the 50 f:1.4 (much more expensive, but has USM with FTM) are typically good sharp primes. The f:1.8 feels light and plastic, which it is, but it's still reliable. Most people prefer the older 50 f:1.8 to the newer, version II. It has a metal mount and a distance scale and just feels better, but optically it's the same. I am one of the few to prefer the newer version for its lightness. You ought to get one or the other. I'd prefer the zoom for convienience, but it is probably better to learn good "rules" of composition with a 50, so you can decide whatever you want.

As far as flashes go, the 380EX is usually the prefered unit for the Rebel 2000. It zooms to match the lens, does E-TTL, FP flash and FEL with the 2000, it has a fair amount of power and does tilt for ceiling bounce flash. What I don't like about it is it does not offer a swivel head to do vertical format bounce, it does not offer flash exposure compensation with the Rebel (to fine tune flash exposure and fill flash), and it doesn't offer a manual exposure mode. The 550EX does all this, with a lot more power, but costs a small fortune. The other option is to use an older 430EZ but then you sacrifice E-TTL, FP and FEL. So I suppose the 380EX is the best bet for most most Rebel users.

B&H is a good safe (and inexpensive) place to buy. Most of the other NY area mail order shops are suspect. Camera World of Oregon is also rated well and sometimes Adorama is considered a good third option. I'm sure there are others, but these are fairly safe.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), February 02, 2000.

Concerning the choice of a flash for Canon cameras, see http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000lQJ&topic_id=2 3&topic=photo%2enet

-- Michael Lopez (mlopez@ers.usda.gov), February 04, 2000.

As far as the lens choice, the 28-105 is a very good lens. I used mine for two years (but I've now upgraded to the 28-135 IS lens) and was happy with it.

The Rebel line doesn't support flash exposure compensation, so unless you go for a relatively high-end flash that lets you do FEC in the flash itself, you can't directly do FEC.

But there _is_ a workaround. Let's say you want to set FEC to -1. Set the film speed to twice what it is (e.g. from 100 to 200), which in effect sets both exposure compensation and FEC to -1. Now set exposure compensation to +1; that sets exposure compensation back to where it should be, but since ambient and flash exposure are separate in EOS bodies, it leaves FEC at -1.

Two caveats, other than the obvious clunkiness of this method: - think it through before you do it, because it's very easy to get it backwards - don't forget to reset both the film speed and the exposure compensation when you're done!

-- Steve Dunn (steved@ussinc.com), February 08, 2000.

You might consider getting the elan II (or IIe) with 50 1.8 to start and add the zoom later. The 380EX was designed for the elan II with E-ttl, flash exposure compensation, etc. If you get serious about the hobby, you wll want these features. The off camera shoe cord ($50.00) would help also. The elan II is a little heavier and bulkier than the rebel if that is an issue for you. It has some neat custom functions, though. Definitely skip the 28-80.

-- Michael Gatton (mg143@aol.com), March 05, 2000.